Fans of monster movies have a lot to be thankful for since the MonsterVerse became a wildly successful franchise. After decades of monster movies being seen as passé, the MonsterVerse finally brought the genre into the 21st century, complete with big stars and great CGI. Consisting of giant monsters, known as “titans,” from the Godzilla and King Kong franchises, the MonsterVerse kicked off in 2014 with the American reboot of Godzilla and has since expanded into a franchise of movies and shows that have grossed almost $3 billion.
While many of us watched each MonsterVerse entry as they were released, it’s also interesting to watch in chronological order to help get a better sense of the franchise timeline and lore, like the titan’s vast history. Along with a better understanding of the universe, you can discover where each MonsterVerse series and film is streaming right now on platforms like HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video.
MonsterVerse Franchise in Release Date Order
- Godzilla (2014)
- Kong: Skull Island (2017)
- Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
- Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
- Skull Island (2023)
- Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023)
- Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
- Godzilla x Kong: Supernova (2027)
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023-Present)
While much of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters takes place a year after the titan attacks in 2014’s Godzilla, the other half of the series takes place in the 1950s, when America was testing nuclear bombs in the Pacific… and accidentally awoke Godzilla. That discovery is what led to the creation of the clandestine Monarch agency. Chronologically, that would be the start of the franchise since it’s when humanity first discovered they weren't alone on this planet.
Monarch is the first live-action Godzilla series, which gives ample time to create not just great scenes of monstrous destruction but also deep characters who become just as interesting as the kaijus. If you love larger-than-life action sci-fi series that also do deep dives into their characters—like Alien: Earth or Invasion—then Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is an absolute must-watch.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Set in 1973, Kong: Skull Island is (so far) the only standalone King Kong movie within the MonsterVerse. Its 1973 setting places it next after Monarch's flashback portions. It also lets viewers see John Goodman’s older portrayal of Bill Randa (who also makes a cameo appearance at the very start of the Monarch premiere). The film follows a team as they venture to the mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter King Kong and other monstrous creatures. Skull Island also has a remarkably stacked A-List cast that includes Brie Larson, John Goodman, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, and John C. Reilly, among others.
Skull Island will especially be a favorite for viewers who are more Kong fans than Godzilla fans, since this is his only standalone movie. But it’s a great watch for anyone who loves a good monster or giant animal movie, like Peter Jackson’s 2005 iteration of King Kong or movies like Jurassic Park.
Skull Island (2023)
Next up chronologically would be the animated Netflix series Skull Island. Set in the early ‘90s, the show sees a group of explorers get shipwrecked on Skull Island. But things get even more complicated when they discover a mysterious girl, a team of mercenaries, and an island filled with giant monsters… including King Kong.
The show’s great animation style makes it perfect for anyone who loves animated series, especially ones that are aimed just as much toward adults as they are kids. It’s also a sure bet for fans of other animated monster shows like Pacific Rim: The Black and Jurassic World: Chaos Theory.
Godzilla (2014)
The film that started the franchise was the American reboot of Godzilla, which is now the fourth entry chronologically. Set in the present day (which was 2014 at that point), the movie sees humanity face an imbalance in the world’s equilibrium, causing giant monsters (including Godzilla) to rise up after being disturbed by global changes.
Out of the MonsterVerse series, Godzilla is easily the most “classic” Godzilla entry (but in a great way). While the franchise has gone on to involve alternate worlds, the original film saw Godzilla do what he does best… destroy major cities while fighting other giant monsters. In this film, both Honolulu and San Francisco get ravaged by the titans, making it a really fun and exciting watch for anyone who loves a good ol’ fashioned monster romp like Pacific Rim or Cloverfield.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Set five years after the 2014 attacks, Godzilla: King of the Monsters deepens the plot and reveals how society fractured after the revelation that we weren’t the apex predators of the world. On one hand, Monarch is trying to strengthen its authority, while others, like a group of eco terrorists, feel society needs to be obliterated by the titans so the world can heal. But most notably, the film became a legit monster mash, reviving franchise favorites like Mothra, King Ghidorah, and Rodan.
King of the Monsters definitely tipped the franchise into a new direction, turning it into the wild, bombastic, monster mash that it’s known for today. While that can come off as kitschy to some audiences, for genre fans (or anyone who just loves a wild ride), it’s tons of fun. If you love those old-school Godzilla movies that became massive brawls between towering monsters, like Destroy All Monsters, or more modern examples, like Godzilla: Final Wars, then this is the smashing, crashing, bashing movie you’ve been waiting for.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
The epic monster battles only continued heating up after King of the Monsters, and 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong finally brought our two headliners together for the first time in MonsterVerse history. According to most sites, the film picks up five years after King of the Monsters. Despite starting as enemies, the two form a contentious but somewhat stable allegiance when they face their biggest threat ever: Mechagodzilla.
Godzilla vs. Kong is definitely a good choice for fans of the original 1962 movie, King Kong vs. Godzilla, or anyone who loves a great titan vs. titan film like Freddy vs. Jason. If there was ever a moment where the MonsterVerse jumped the shark, it was surely when Mechagodzilla was brought into the fold. But if you’ve made it this far into the MonsterVerse, then you know why you’re here and what you came for… and trust me, this movie delivers. Come for the epic showdown, but stay for the surprisingly fun story.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Scoring a whopping $572 million, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the latest and highest-grossing movie in the MonsterVerse so far. The film is a direct sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong, picking up shortly after the events of that movie. It explores Hollow Earth, a realm deep within Earth’s crust that contains a vast ecosystem… including an oppressive clan of Kongs who seek to rule the surface world.
As the title implies, the film ushers in a new empire (and a new vibe) that focuses much more on the titans than the humans. It’s a fun movie for anyone who loves similar films like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts or Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which also mostly dropped the human element and dove headfirst into the adventure and excitement of other creatures.
Godzilla x Kong: Supernova (2027)
The next chapter of the MonsterVerse will be 2027’s Godzilla x Kong: Supernova. Set for a March 26, 2027, release date, the movie is set to star Sam Neill and Kaitlyn Dever. While much of the plot is being kept a secret, Deadline was able to reveal that it will follow “several new human characters alongside Titans Godzilla and Kong, as they face off against a cataclysmic world-ending threat.”
